Removing the financial burden of pursuing a legal career

Getting a foot on the legal career ladder can be extremely challenging for aspiring young lawyers, with the financial burden of the traditional university route often a major deterrent. To offer trainees an alternative way into the profession, a new apprenticeship scheme has been launched which will allow participants to become a fully qualified solicitor at the end of the course, with the added bonus of collecting an undergraduate and master’s degree along the way. With the chance to earn while they learn, students won’t have to pay huge tuition fees, making a career in law much more attainable. Here, Sara Duxbury, head of people at Fletchers Solicitors, looks at the benefits of the new scheme and why there has never been a better time to begin a law apprenticeship.

Traditionally, to enter into the world of law, budding young trainees had little option but to embark on the university degree pathway. As with most university courses, this route typically requires students to source the funding for their education – but with university fees having nearly tripled since 2012, the expense of a university degree is often a common barrier for many.

However, in recent years, an alternative route into the legal profession has opened up, and more and more young lawyers are enrolling on apprenticeship schemes to gain their qualifications. Although almost unheard of a few years ago, the number of places on these schemes is on the rise, and a select number of law firms have now started offering the six-year Trailblazer Solicitor Apprenticeship to aspiring trainees. Fletchers Solicitors is one of these firms, having recently partnered up with The University of Law and currently recruiting for three new apprentices.

As pursuing a legal career down the apprenticeship path is a fairly new option, many students may not be aware of what it involves and if it’s right for them. For students looking for a debt-free way into the profession, undertaking an apprenticeship comes with a wealth of benefits.

Lose the student debt

Perhaps one of the most attractive advantages of completing an apprenticeship is the removal of the hefty fees associated with a degree. On average, students can rack up debts of more than £40,000 by the time they come to finish their university course.

Not everyone can afford the burden of spending years at university, so an apprenticeship is a great alternative. For those aged under 19, starting an apprenticeship is free, and for those aged between 19 and 24, the government funds half the cost of training and the employer covers the other 50%. This opens up a legal career to those who would otherwise have been put off by the huge expense, and encourages talent from a diverse range of backgrounds to join the sector.

Earn while you learn

Alongside the free training, apprentices can also earn a wage while they are studying. This makes it even more attainable for those without the private means to fund a law degree to have a successful career in the profession. Apprentice wages do typically start off quite low, but there is the chance for trainees to earn more as they learn more. Under the Trailblazer scheme, the salary given to students will rise at certain points of their progression. And for many school leavers, having a constant source of income is a huge bonus.

Gain on the job experience

Unlike the more theoretical, academic approach of a university course, apprenticeships give students the chance to gain real-life work experience. Working in an actual job setting allows young lawyers to learn from experienced lawyers and get a feel for how the industry works - and decide if this is definitely the career for them.

After leaving university, securing a training contract can be extremely difficult, with the growing number of graduates entering the market now almost three times higher than the number of job vacancies. Apprentices have a head start over their peers by already having a place within a specific law firm, giving them a better chance of being kept on in a long term, full-time role.

Recognised training and qualifications

The majority of the law firms offering Trailblazer courses give budding apprentices the chance to train as a fully qualified lawyer and also gain an LLB degree – which they would get if they went to university. Fletchers Solicitors’ course goes even further than this. Like most courses, trainees will undertake a period of recognised training along the way, whilst completing their undergraduate degree (LLB). But on top of this, they will also have the chance to complete a master’s degree (LLM), and a Legal Practice Course (LPC) at The University of Law. By completing a Trailblazer course, students can qualify as a solicitor, paralegal or a chartered legal executive.

The legal sector is undoubtedly changing and the rise in legal apprenticeships is just another example of how the industry is innovating to keep up with the times. Aspiring lawyers no longer have to rely on the traditional university route to land themselves their dream job in a top firm, which is hugely important to encouraging diversity in the law profession. But whether opting for the university route or embarking on the new apprenticeship pathway, it’s important to really consider all options before making a final decision.

For more information, please visit www.fletcherssolicitors.co.uk.